Writing Chemical Formula Worksheet With Answer Key - Spes Unica Page 14
ADVERTISEMENT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28LI 9
Balancing equations
When we write chemical equations many of them will not have the
same number of each atom at the start of the reaction as we have
at the end. We call this an unbalanced equation.
e.g.
Unbalanced Equation :- CH
+ O
→ H
O + CO
4
2
2
2
If we count how many atoms of each type are on each side of the
equation you will see they are not the same.
Reactants side
Products side
1 C
1C
4H
2H
2O
3O
In order to balance an equation we have to follow these steps.
Step 1: Start by finding out how many atoms of each type are on each
side of the equation. (Some teachers recommend making a little table
listing the numbers of each atom for the left hand side and for the right
hand side.)
Step 2: Next, look for an element which is in only one chemical on the
left and in only one on the right of the equation. (But it is usually a good
idea to leave hydrogen and oxygen until you've done the others first.)
Step 3: Balance that element by multiplying the chemical species on the
side which doesn't have enough atoms of that type by the number
required to bring it up to the same as the other side. (It doesn’t have to
be a whole number). The number must go in FRONT of the formula.
Step 4: Now look for the next element or species that is not balanced
and do the same thing.
Repeat until you are forced to balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Note: If there is a complex ion, on each side of the equation that has
remained intact, then that can often be balanced first, as it is acts as a
-
2-
single species. The ions NO
and CO
are examples of a complex ion.
3
3
14
ADVERTISEMENT
0 votes
Related Articles
Related forms
Related Categories
Parent category: Education